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Mohammed Al-Musawi

My primary research interest is understanding the Earth's palaeoclimate conditions. I am particularly interested in investigating the ancient carbon cycle and the cause of carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) in the rock record. Although it is quite optimistic, my ultimate career goal is to employ our current and future understanding of climate evolution over geological time to try to resolve some of the current climatic problems. My master's and Ph.D. projects are not palaeoclimate oriented. However, both projects helped me develop the knowledge, background, and skills to pursue my overall research interest.

 

My master's thesis project has focused on using integrated datasets of δ13Ccarb, 87Sr/86Sr, and biostratigraphic conodont data to solve one of the most longstanding problems in carbonate stratigraphy, which is correlating a carbonate succession from shallow to deep water settings. The project successfully constructed a chronostratigraphic framework, which resulted in high-resolution age dating and refining the early Silurian stratigraphy in the Michigan Basin.

 

My Ph.D. project aims to investigate the diagenetic history of the Miocene Dam Formation in Qatar utilizing δ13Ccarb, δ18Ocarb, Δ47 isotopologues, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and petrographic data. The Dam Fm. is relatively young (~20 Ma), has no reported burial history, and shows an excellent example of carbonate early diagenesis.

Research

Diagenetic History of the Carbonate Miocene Rocks in Qatar

Integrated stable isotopes, clumped isotopes, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Petrographic data to investigate (i) the relationship between sea-level fluctuation and early dolomitization, (ii) the impact of clay minerals and organic material on dolomitization, and (iii) the impact of early diagenesis on the rock texture and the distribution of diagenetic features.

 

Hydrothermal Dolomitization in Central Michigan Basin: Cause and Distribution

Integrated carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, elemental, and mineralogical data, were utilized to characterize the dolomitization fluids and trace back the nature and source of these fluids. The results of this study will help better predict the distribution of the dolomite lenses in the central Michigan Basin and discover new potential gas storage capacity.

 

Using High-Resolution HH-XRF Elemental Data to Construct a Sequence Stratigraphic Framework for the Antrim Shale

Apply new and published elemental data to construct a sequence stratigraphic framework of the Antrim Shale. This model will help: (i) Understand the depositional history of the Antrim Shale, which will assess the likelihood of euxinic conditions in the Devonian, and determine if sustained, eustacy-driven, repeated (episodic?) euxinia persisted in the Michigan Basin throughout middle Silurian–Devonian time. (ii) It will significantly aid the lithostratigraphic correlation of the Antrim Shale across the Michigan Basin.

 

The Application of High-Resolution HH-XRF Elemental Data to Build a Sequence Stratigraphic Framework in Carbonate Rocks

This study investigates the applicability of using patterns and trends in elemental concentrations as a basis for constructing a sequence stratigraphic framework in carbonate rocks.

 

Chronostratigraphic Correlation of Shallow to Deep Carbonate Succession: A Case Study from the Early Silurian of the Michigan Basin

Integrated carbon isotopes, strontium isotopes, and biostratigraphy (conodonts) to build a chronostratigraphic framework for the Early Silurian section in the Michigan Basin. The study's results helped to (i) refine the stratigraphy of the Early Silurian succession in the Michigan Basin, (ii) high-resolution age-dating (~1Ma) of the Early Silurian lithostratigraphic units, and correlate these time-equivalent packages across the basin, and (iii) highlight new potential hydrocarbon stratigraphic traps in Michigan Basin.

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